Whale season is upon us.
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Moonshadow-TQC and Imagine Cruises will launch their early bird whale watching cruises on Saturday, May 15 before the official season kicks off on June 1.
Mel Turner, Moonshadow's business development manager, said interest in the new whale watching season was already high.
"We have some keen early birds booked on board already," she said. "The anticipation is always high in the hope of spotting the first whales heading north.
"There is word on the industry [line] that we may have an early season this year, something we will gladly welcome. And of course, there is also the pending sighting of Migaloo the albino whale who has eluded us the past few seasons. But I think it is going to be our year this year.
"There is some friendly banter and betting among the skippers and crew as to who will be the first to spot the whales."
The whale watching season in Port Stephens runs from mid-May to August when humpbacks migrate north to their calving ground in the South Pacific region.
The southern migration takes place from August to mid-November when mothers and newborn calves make their way back down to the feeding grounds in Antarctica.
An estimated 35,000 whales are expected to pass along the Port's coast during the migration but experts say those numbers are increasing each season.
Moonshadow is offering 11am daily departures from Nelson Bay and Tea Gardens until May 28. From June 1, it will move to twice daily departures from Nelson Bay and from June 2 11am departures from Tea Gardens on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
Dine and Discover NSW vouchers can be used for Moonshadow and Imagine whale watching cruises.
Whale watching has embedded itself as a key winter attraction in Port Stephens.
Pre-pandemic, the activity annually drew close to 30,000 people to the region for guided tours plus countless more to land-based vantage points along the coastline to see the gentle giants pass by.
The direct impact the annual whale migration has on the Port's economy is not known due to a lack of data.
Read more Port Stephens whale tales:
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Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
